NJ governor says he's feeling 'fabulous'

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie talks to the media outside of the Somerset Medical Center emergency room, Thursday, July 28, 2011, in Somerville, N.J. Christie was released from following emergency treatment for asthma after having difficulty breathing. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

/ AP

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie talks to the media outside of the Somerset Medical Center emergency room, Thursday, July 28, 2011, in Somerville, N.J. Christie was released from following emergency treatment for asthma after having difficulty breathing. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie talks to the media outside of the Somerset Medical Center emergency room, Thursday, July 28, 2011, in Somerville, N.J. Christie was released from following emergency treatment for asthma after having difficulty breathing. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (/ AP)

ANGELA DELLI SANTI, Associated Press

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie arrived at the state Capitol late Friday morning, telling The Associated Press he felt fabulous and was ready to work after spending several hours the day before in an emergency room for treatment of an asthma attack.

Just after 11 a.m., a smiling Christie stepped out of his state trooper-driven SUV holding his suit jacket over one shoulder and carrying a briefcase in his other hand.

Asked how he was doing after his eight-hour hospital stay, Christie responded: "Fabulous, better than I have any right to."

When he left Somerset Medical Center on Thursday evening after undergoing two rounds of tests, Christie told reporters he had a full work day planned for Friday but would cancel his schedule if he awoke felling unwell.

Christie, 48, who is often mentioned as a possible Republican presidential candidate despite his insistence that he won't run, was driven to the hospital after experiencing shortness of breath and light-headedness on his way to a bill signing. The governor said he decided to seek medical treatment because his airways felt constricted even after he used a rescue inhaler.

Christie uses an inhaler for asthma and is overweight but is otherwise healthy. He last sought emergency treatment for asthma while in law school more than 20 years ago.

On Thursday, he underwent an electrocardiogram, blood work and chest X-ray and said all came back normal. He said his breathing problems were likely the result of humid weather and summer allergies.

The married father of four said he would follow up with his asthma doctor next week. His wife, Mary Pat, and brother, Todd, were with him at the hospital, though his wife left around 3:30 p.m. to attend their oldest son's baseball game. Christie was in touch with top staff by phone, and in the afternoon he tweeted a birthday greeting to New Jersey's Democratic Senate leader, Sen. Barbara Buono, a frequent critic.

The governor planned to attend three private meetings at the Statehouse on Friday and a dinner Friday night. A session with his personal trainer was scheduled for the morning. He has no public schedule.